Storm in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh killed 100 people

Vastavam web: A storm whipped through a large swathe of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh last night, killing over 100 people in a trail of destruction that brought down mud houses, uprooted trees and flattened crops.At least 183 others were injured as a massive dust storm, followed by thunder showers, snapped power lines and sent tin roofs and street hoardings flying in parts of eastern Rajasthan and the adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh. The worst period lasted about 45 minutes, according to reports from Dholpur in Rajasthan. But the extent of the damage was known only this morning.

The Met department today predicted another dust storm in parts of Rajasthan and UP in the next 48 hours.A Met official told PTI in Jaipur that his department had been issuing dust storm warnings for the past couple of days.In UP, Agra district was the worst hit, accounting for at least 43 deaths and injuries to 51 others, officials said.Besides Agra, the other storm-hit UP districts were Bijnor, Bareli, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Rae Bareli and Unnao.

In Rajasthan, Bharatpur district was the worst affected with 19 killed. Nine people died in Alwar and nine in Dholpur, officials said.In rural areas, there were reports of crop being damaged due to hailstorm. Farmers lost cattle and poultry. UP Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said 160 heads of cattle were lost.Most of the injured in Rajasthan have been discharged from hospitals.

Rajasthan’s Disaster Management secretary Hemant Kumar Gera said some were undergoing primary treatment.Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the deaths and directed officials to coordinate with states to ensure speedy relief and rehabilitation.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was in poll-bound Karnataka today, campaigning with Modi. He directed officials to personally monitor relief operations, warning against any laxity. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed grief over the calamity and said district authorities have been directed to ensure all possible help to victims. Rajasthan government said contingency funds have been released to district administrations.